NEWS AND EVENTS

Boise driver on meth when he killed pedestrian, prosecutors say

Ada prosecutors said Tyler C. Martinez, 24, of Boise, had used meth before the car he was driving stuck and killed 64-year-old Joel Eggers, also of Boise, on South Development Avenue on April 8.

Martinez was arraigned on a newly filed felony charge of vehicular manslaughter at the Ada County Courthouse Thursday afternoon. Martinez, previously held without bond for a probation violation in connection with the fatal crash, also is charged with felony destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence related to the crash that killed Eggers.

Following the request of prosecutors, Ada County Magistrate Michael Oths Thursday, set Martinez’s bond at $100,000.

Prosecutors said that Martinez had used meth the morning of the fatal accident. While driving, he swerved across the center line and stuck Eggers from behind on the side of the road, they said. Eyewitnesses saw the accident, which was also recorded on video, prosecutors said.

After his car hit Eggers, prosecutors said, Martinez did not attempt to help the man but began hastily deleting texts from his cell phone. Officers had to “pry the phone” from Martinez’s hands, they said.

Eggers was the chief starter at Firebird Raceway and was walking alongside the roadway when he was hit.

Martinez has prior charges on his record, including felony delivery of controlled substances, in addition to burglary.

Prosecutors said that Martinez has issues with drug abuse, and friends and family members reportedly attempted an intervention two weeks before the fatal accident. Martinez, they said, refused to seek treatment.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the new charges May 5. He also is scheduled for a hearing April 27 to admit or deny that violated the terms of his probation for a 2014 burglary case.